Vermont - Mini Card Invitation

Vermont Free Downloadable Templates

Three templates are required to make this invitation; the cover, the insert and the reply card. Insert templates are available in 3 formats in either formal or informal wording. A 'personalised' invitation is where you can type in your guests names. An 'open' invitation has a line for you to handwrite the names once you have printed the invitation. A 'cordial' invitation is where no guests names are used (this is handy if you want spares to send out at the last minute!).

Choose from either formal or informal versions of the template insert.

To download, follow these instructions:

Right click on the blue arrow icon (left of the template title that you want) and select 'save target as'.

Choose where you want to save it to, click save and away you go.

Each template will only take a few seconds to download.

To use the template once you have downloaded it:

Double click the template icon and Microsoft Word will open and show the invitation template.

All the templates are saved in the font 'Arial' as this is common to the majority of PC's. Just change the names, address etc. to suit by selecting the text and typing over it. If you want to change the font, just highlight/select the text and choose another font. If you change the font, you may need to change the size to make it fit properly and look good.

Print on A4 size test paper - you may need to make minor adjustments for the margins to fit your printer but we have created the templates with the majority of settings in mind - so most of you shouldn't have too many problems.

Heart Confetti - for the finishing touches (you could use the freeze dried rose petals if your budget allows)

You will also need:Access to a computer and printer, a lighter/matches, a pair of scissors or a guillotine, a ruler, a small bowl with an ice cube (no kidding - it comes in handy!) & some paper glue (like pritt).

Full Instructions:

Using the free Word templates above, print the invitation covers onto the A4 sheets of card. There will be two invitations per sheet. Our templates include a space for your rubber stamp motif or you can print a logo or picture if you would rather. We suggest you practice on plain white paper first so you don't waste your card.

Using the free Word insert templates above, print your invitation inserts onto the A4 sheets of paper. Again, there will be 2 inserts per sheet. You will need to cut 5mm off the long right edge of the insert and 8mm off the short top edge (before cutting them in half)- so when you cut them and fold in half, they will sit neatly inside the cover and not stick out. As a result, you will need to layout your text off centre if you are not using our ready made templates.

Cut the replies into 4 so each card is A6 in size (a guillotine provides the best finish - but scissors or a craft knife are fine if you're careful!)

Print the mini reply envelopes with your reply address - or stick address labels on if your printer won't take the envelopes. Insert each reply card into a reply envelope.

Cut 5mm off the right hand long edge of your inserts - so each page is now 205mm wide (was 210mm). Cut 8mm off the top short edge of the inserts so that the length from top to bottom is now 289mm (was 297mm). Now cut the insert in half so they are equal in size. Fold each sheet in half so your wording is on the inside of the 'booklet'.

If you are using a rubber stamp - practice on some paper first to check how hard to press and where the middle of the stamp falls. When you are confident, carefully stamp your motif onto the space on the covers of your invitations. Leave to dry for an hour.

For the best finish - use the blunt point or back of a knife and a ruler to score the inside of your covers exactly in half. Now fold along the score for a neat and easy crease.

Draw a line of glue along the inside right crease edge of your cover, then place the insert in place, butting the fold up to the crease. HINT - it helps to hold the front edge of the cover at right angles so you can butt the insert right up to the edge. When in position, smooth the insert over the glue.

Sprinkle some confetti or rose petals inside the invitation card and place inside the large outer envelope - then put the reply envelope with card in as well - behind the invitation. You can now wax seal the outer envelopes if you want.

Practice a couple of times lighting the wax stick - drip about 10 drips, then take the wax seal (make sure it's the right way up) impress the left side of the seal into the left edge of the melted wax - roll it to the right. Practice will result in the best seals! NOTE - you will never get a perfect seal - this is done - this is normal and authentic.

Now do it for real on the back of the envelope join. TIP - when you finish each one - place the wax seal on top of your ice cube - this will keep it cool and stop it sticking. As you take it off the ice cube - dab it on some tissue to take of any excess water.

Other things you can do with this invitation

Silk paintings look amazing - they do take time but if you're an arty type, give it a go. You can buy silk, gutta, pins, brushes, silk paint and frames from most art shops. Set up a frame and draw hearts or stars with the gutta, leave to dry, then paint. Cut the silk into mini pictures and use double sided tape to stick them to the front of the invitation, then outline with gutta.

A vellum outer cover looks particularly sophisticated - fix with glue to the outer back edge of the cover - or for the best finish, use a ribbon/bow (see below).

Tie a bow around the invitation: If you want to finish this invitation with a bow, you don't need to glue in the insert - the ribbon will hold it in place.

You will need 55cms of ribbon for each invitation and we recommend ribbon no more than 9mm wide - and being good at tying bows really helps!

Use a contrast seal: When sealing your envelopes, you can create a contrast seal by stamping your wax seal onto your ink pad first. This works best with either gold or silver ink in red or blue wax.